What are these user-ids?

[Tom Gore]

I know this is a very basic question (so don't beat me up too bad). What are these user-ids user for? The managers here are looking to delete unnecessary user-ids. I have told them they are "system related" and should not be messed with. They are looking for a more specific answer.

adm -

bin -

daemon -

nobody -

sys -

uucp -

nuucp -

lp -

www -


Thanks

[Jeff Schussele · Accepted solution]

Hi Tom,

adm -> OS controlling ID - do not delete
bin -> "everyman" ID equiv of "all users" - do not delete
daemon -> OS controlling ID - ususally for daemon processes - do not delete.
nobody -> used for NFS anonymous connections - could possibly delete IF no NFS in use.
sys -> OS controlling account - usually group - do not delete
uucp & nuucp -> accounts used by uucp (modem & old direct connects) - probably can delete IF no modems
lp -> controls the LP spooler - print jobs - do not delete
www -> usually used for web servers & web processes control. could delete if not a web server.

HTH,
Jeff

[Steven E. Protter]

Good answers above.

Seriously don't delete them. Prior to deleting www, swremove the apache web server that shipped with HP-UX 11iv1.

That will actually remove the user as well.

All the others are pretty necessary.

SEP

[Tom Gore]

Thanks for your time and response. I know it was one of those really basic things, but I was not 100% sure.